WOMEN, Children and Social Protection Minister Sashi Kiran has called for collaboration between the Fiji Medical Association (FMA) and stakeholders to address ongoing healthcare challenges.
Speaking during the FMA Mini Conference 2025 at the Holiday Inn yesterday, she highlighted the need for prevention strategies for lifestyle diseases and mental health challenges.
“Doctors play a very pivotal role in our society as you serve as guardians of health and well being,” Ms Kiran said.
“With your expertise, compassion and dedication, you help preserve and restore the health of individuals in our communities.
“Future proofing of healthcare is not a task for doctors alone. It demands collaboration from all stakeholders, from government, NGOs, development partners, faith-based organisations and the communities we serve together.
“We need prevention strategies for malnutrition, lifestyle diseases.
“We need care and compassion for those struggling with mental health challenges here for sick and elderly and the society at large needs to play their part in this regard.”
She urged FMA to use different mediums available to them in highlighting and providing awareness on the different issues that are prevalent in Fiji nowadays.
“There’s so much knowledge in this room. Is it possible to run podcasts or education series on these very important topics?
“I’m sure you’ll tell me you’re busy and some of you don’t like to come to the media. So how do we develop this?
“Can FMA run podcasts, or using media, because unless our people know what’s happening and the challenges we are facing in the clinics, in surgeries, then we are not empowered.
“So, I’m hoping that it’s something that you could help us with, basic awareness on this very important issue.”
FMA president Dr Alipate Vakamocea said they would be looking at some members who were media savvy to do podcasts or similar mediums to raise awareness.
“Definitely, we will take on the challenge to be more visible in the public space, to issues that are more of national importance,” Mr Vakamocea said.
